Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will generally not give you a prescription for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for a range of minor health conditions.

Instead, OTC medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket. Look up your nearest pharmacy.

Please click the following links for further information on which conditions you can buy over the counter medications for:

Why can't I get a prescription for over-the-counter medicine?

Over the Counter Leaflet

The team of health professionals at your local pharmacy can offer help and clinical advice to manage minor health concerns. If your symptoms suggest it's more serious, they'll ensure you get the care you need.

The NHS currently spends around £136 million a year on prescriptions for medicines that can be bought from a pharmacy or supermarket, such as paracetamol.

By reducing the amount it spends on OTC medicines, the NHS can give priority to treatments for people with more serious conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and mental health problems.